Portable fire extinguisher



1957 F. B. ALLEN 2,776,717

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Sept. 16, 1952 4 Shets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. 1 f'mlv/rflflunv -GMMA 773W Jan. 8, 1957 F. B. ALLEN 2,776,717

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Sept. 16, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORQ FRA NK 5. AL LEN BY PM NW A TTOR/VEY Jan. 8, 1957 F. B. ALLEN2,776,717

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Sept. 16, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 LINVENFJR. J FQAA/AB-AL LEN BY EM .4 TT A K F. B. ALLEN PORTABLE FIREEXTINGUISHER Jan. 8, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 16, 1952 .Illlllllll.

INVENTOR. FRAN/(fiALLEA/ United States Patent 2,776,717 PORTABLE FIREEXTINGUISHER Frank B. Alien, Towaco, N. J., assignor, by mesneassignments, to The Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application September 16, 1952, SerialNo. 309,856

4 Claims. (Cl. 169-431) This invention relates to fire extinguishing andparticularly to an improved portable extinguisher.

It is important a portable fire extinguisher that it be light in weightso that it may be easily transported to the scene of a fire. However,the construction must be rugged so as to Withstand rough usage as in theevent the extinguisher is moved over rough terrain. In priorconstructions, particularly of the wheel type, it has been generallycustomary to provide a casting having integral means therewith forsupporting wheels and a handle. In these devices the castings performthe dual purpose of reinforcing the fire extinguishing agent containerto withstand its operating pressure as well as to tie together thevarious structural elements. It has been found in such structures thatthe weight of the casting has added considerably to the total weight ofthe extinguisher.

The present invention aims to overcome the difliculties anddisadvantages of prior portable extinguishers by providing a lightweight structure in which the containers are used as stiffening meansfor the extinguisher.

The construction in accordance with the invention is advantageous inthat the construction of the extinguisher is essentially a welding andiron working type of fabrication rather than the machining of a castingas in the construction of the prior devices.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and from the accompanying drawings which show byway of example an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of a portable fire extinguisher in accordancewith the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the extinguisher shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the extinguisher shown in Figure 1. a

Figure 4 is fragmentary side view showing the clamping means, thecontainers being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the clamping means.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a portable fireextinguisher 1 in accordance with the invention. The extinguishercomprises a container 2 for fire extinguishing agent, and a cylinder 4for a pressurizing medium to expel the fire extinguishing agent from thecontainer 2. Clamping means are used to hold the containers togetherand. to provide a means of attachment for the wheels 5.

At the top of the pressurizing medium cylinder 4 is a shut-off valve 6,a regulator 7, and pressure gauges 8. Extending upwardly from thecontainers is a handle 9. Attached to the handle '9 is one part of anupper hose support 10, a lower hose support 11 being positionedoppositely thereto.

The tire extinguishing agent container 2 is. generally fabricated fromsteel or equivalent material to withstand the "pressure which will beapplied thereto. A cap 12 at the top thereof is threadedly engaged withthe outlet neck of the container for filling purposes.

The pressurizing medium cylinder 4 is generally smaller in diameter thanthe tire extinguishing agent container 2, and may be charged with'carbondioxide, nitrogen, or other suitable pressurizing medium, the containernecessarily is of strong construction to retain the pressurizing rneniumunder high pressure and may be of the conventional type used for storinghigh pressure gases. The regulator 7 is adapted to be set at a desiredpressure to expel the fire extinguishing agent from the container 2. Theoutlet of the regulator is connected by tubing 14 through a shut-offvalve 15 and piping 16 leading into the container 2.

In accordance with the invention the containers are used as thestiffening means for the structure separately illustrated in Figure 5. Apair of clamping rings 20 and 21 made of strap steel or other suitablematerial is preferably welded together using short spacers 22 and 24.The clamping ring 29 is formed in two parts, the outer sector 25 formedwith apertured flanges 26 and 27 adapted to match apertured flanges 29and 30 of the inner sector 31. The clamping ring 21 is likewise formedof an outer sector 32 and an inner sector 34. The inner sector 34 ismade with apertured flanges 35 and 36 adapted to match with aperturedflanges 37 and 39 of the outer sector 32. On the outer side of the outersector 32 is welded or otherwise suitably attached a strut 40 havingformed integrally or having welded thereto the hose support 11. Also,attached to the strut 40 is a lower hose clip 41. The clamping rings 20and 21 are adapted to be secured about the lower portions of thecontainers 2 and the cylinder 4 by bolt fastenings 42.

About the upper part of the containers 2 and the cylinder 4 arepositioned a pair of clamping rings and 51 which may be duplicates ofthe clamping rings 29 and 21. The clamping rings 50 and 51 are made ofstrap steel or other suitable material and preferably welded togetherusing short spacers 52 and 54. The clamping ring 50 is formed in twoparts, the outer sector 55 formed with apertured flanges 56 and 57adapted to match apertured flanges 59 and 60 of the inner sector 61. Theclamping ring 51 is likewise formed of an outer sector 62 and an innersector 64. The inner sector 64 is made with apertured flanges 65 and 66adapted to match with apertured flanges 67 and 63 of the outer sector62. An upper clip 69 is attached to the outer sector 62. The clampingrings 50 and 51 are adapted to be secured about the containers 2 and thecylinder 4 by bolt fastenings 42.

intermediate the respective clamping rings 26-21 and 59-61 is a thirdclamping ring 70 formed with an outer sector 71 and an inner sector 72.The outer sector 71 is provided with apertured flanges 74 and 75 and haswelded or otherwise secured thereto a foot rest or tread bar 76 formedof a generally U-shaped rod having its ends 77 and 79 attached to theouter sector 71. The inner sector 72 is made with apertured flanges 80and 81 adapted to match the flanges 74 and 75. The flanges 80 and 81 aresomewhat longer than the flanges 74 and 75 as may be seen in Figure 2.

In order to provide supporting means for the wheels 5, axle braces 82and 84 are attached to the sector 72. The axle brace 82 has its innerend 85 attached to the body of the sector strap 72 by welding or thelike, while outer end 86 of the strap 82 is attached to the flange 80.The axle brace 84 has its inner end 87 attached to the body of thesector strip '72 by welding or the like, while outer end 89 of the axlebrace 84 is attached to the flange'81. The clamping ring 70 is securedin position about the container 2 by bolt fastening '90. Ends and 89 ofthe axle braces 82 and 84 are respectively apertured to receive stubaxles 91 and 92 which, as may be seen in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and S, arepositioned inwardly of the vertical axis of the container 2. The axlesare suitably secured in the openings in the strips 86 and against thewall of the sector 72 by welding or other suitable means. The wheels 5are rotatably secured on the stub axles 91 and 92 by conventionalrestraining means 94 and 95.

The handle 9 has its lower ends 96 and 97 respectively attachedsubstantially at the inner ends of the axle stubs 91 and 92, likewise,preferably by welding. In addition the handle ends 96 and 97 areattached to the inner sector 61 of the clamping ring 50 as indicated at98 to provide a rigid construction. The handle 9 is curved in thedirection opposite to the position of the tread bar 76 and has agenerally U-shaped appearance in the plan view as may be seen in Figure2. At the upper end of the handle 9 on the lower side thereof isattached the generally U-shaped hose support 10.

The extinguisher 1 may be used to dispense a fluid fire extinguishingagent such as water, or a powder composition fire extinguishing agent.In the event the extinguisher is used to dispense water a syphon tubemust he provided within the container 2 for the discharge pipe 99 andthe extinguisher is discharged while in the upright position. In theevent the container 2 is charged with a powder extinguishingcomposition, it is preferred that the extinguisher be discharged Whilein the inverted position and no syphon tube is used. The extinguisher isinverted in order that the pressurizing gas entering through the tubing15 may agitate and fiuff up the powder to provide a better discharge.The outlet 99 is connected with a discharge hose 100 to a dischargevalve 101 having a shut-off nozzle 102 and a discharge nozzle 104. Thehose is adapted to be wound over the hose supports 19 and 11 to providean ordinary assembly without interfering with the regulator mechanism 7and gauges 8, the end of the hose being received in the clip 69 whilethe nozzle is received in the clip 41.

In using the extinguisher, the operator presses his foot against thetread rest 76 and simultaneously pulls the handle 9 at its upper endthus rotating the extinguisher about its axles 91 and 92 and lifting thepressurizing container 2 from the supporting surface. The extinguishermay then be readily moved to the scene of a fire. Upon the arrival atthe fire, the handle 9 is lowered to the ground, thereby inverting theextinguisher to a position approximately the reverse of that shown inFigure 1, the regulator 7 previously having been set to deliver thedesired pressure. Upon reaching the inverted position, the cylindervalve 6 is opened, thereby releasing the pressurizing medium through thetubing and piping 14 and 15 into the container 2 to provide the meansfor expulsion of the fire extinguishing agent through the discharge pipe99, the hose 100, the valve 101, and the nozzle 104. Of course, in theevent water is used as the fire extinguishing agent, and a syphon tubeis provided for the container 2, the discharge is with the extinguisherin the vertical position as shown in Figure 2.

The shut-off valve 15 is normally in the open position and kept open bya locking means 105. The function of valve 15 is to permit a periodicalcheck of the degree of filling of the pressurizing medium containerwithout disturbing the fire extinguishing agent in container 2. This isaccomplished by unlocking shut-off valve 15 by withdrawing locking means105 and closing the shut-off valve. Valve 6 is subsequently opened andthe pressure is observed by referring to the gauges 8 to determine thatthe pressurizing container is adequately charged and that the regulator7 is accurately set. Following this check, valve 6 is closed tightly.The outlet tubing 14 is then loosened permitting the pressure trapped upto the shut-01f valve 15 to escape. The tubing is then retightened, theshut-off valve 15 reopened, and the locking means 105 reinserted.

- All of the foregoing checking is done in the upright position asillustrated in Figure 1.

While the extinguisher has been described and illustratell) . 4 ed withreference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood thatother embodiments will be resorted to without departing from theinvention. For example, while the extinguisher has been described withreference to its use for the dispensing of water or powder fireextinguishing agents, it is obvious that other extinguishing agentsmight be used, in which event, somewhat difr'erent dispensing mechanismwould be incorporated therewith. The basic structure of the extinguisherincluding the container, the cylinder and supporting means in which thecontainer and the cylinder provide the stiffening means for theextinguisher would remain un changed. Therefore, the form of theinvention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not aslimit ing the scope of the following claims.

5 claim:

1. A portable fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fireextinguishing agent, a cylinder for a pressurizing agent .to expel thefire extinguishing agent, the container of larger diameter than thecylinder, a first pair of lower clamping rings secured together, onelower clamping ring about the lower end of the container and the otherlower clamping ring about the lower end of the cylinder, at second pairof upper clamping rings secured together, one upper clamping ring aboutthe upper end of the container and the other upper clamping ring aboutthe upper end of the cylinder, an axle supporting clamping ring aboutthe container and positioned between the upper and lower pairs ofclamping rings, the container and the cylinder positioned in line atright angles to the axles, a pair of axles extending from the axleclamping ring and positioned between the vertical axis of the containerand the vertical axis of the cylinder, and wheels positioned on theaxles, the wheels of a radius greater than the distance from the axle tothe lower surface of the container providing surface clearance, thewheels of a radius less than the distance from the axle to the lowersurface of the cylinder, whereby in resting position the extinguisher issupported by contact with a surface of the Wheels and the lower end ofthe cylinder, the inward mounting of the axles and the surface clearancepermitting easy swinging of the extinguisher about its axles formovement on its wheels.

2. A portable fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fireextinguishing agent, a cylinder for a pressurizing agent to expel thefire extinguishing agent, the container of larger diameter than thecylinder, a first pair of lower clamping rings secured together, onelower clamping ring about the lower end of the container and the otherlower clamping ring about the lower end of the cylinder, a second pairof upper clamping rings secured together, one upper clamping ring aboutthe upper end of the container and the other upper clamping ring aboutthe upper end of the cylinder, an axle supporting clamping ring aboutthe container and positioned between the upper and lower pairs ofclamping rings, the container and the cylinder positioned in line atright angles to the axles, a pair of axles extending from the axleclamping ring and positioned between the vertical axis of the containerand the vertical axis of the cylinder, a handle extending upwardly fromthe axle, wheels positioned on the axles, the wheels of a radius greaterthan the distance from the axle to the lower surface of the containerproviding surface clcarance, the wheels of a radius less than thedistance from the axle to the lower surface of the cylinder, and a footrest projecting forwardly from the axle clamping ring, whereby inresting position the extinguisher is supported by contact with a surfaceof the wheels and the lower end of the cylinder, the inward mounting ofthe axles and the surface clearance permitting easy swinging of theextinguisher about its axles for movement on its wheels by the operatorpressing his foot against the foot rest and simultaneously pulling thehandle.

3. A portable fire extinguisher comprising a container for fireextinguishing agent, a cylinder for a pressurizing agent to expel thefire extinguishing agent, the container of larger diameter than thecylinder, at least one pair of clamping rings secured together, oneclamping ring about the container and the other clamping ring about thecylinder, each clamping ring formed of two sector straps with aperturedends, clamping bolts holding the apertured ends together, a pair ofspacers securing the clamping rings together, an axle supportingclamping ring about the container, a pair of axles extending from theaxle clamping ring and positioned between the vertical axis of thecontainer and the vertical axis of the cylinder, an axle brace extendingfrom the container clamping ring and bracing the axle, and Wheelspositioned on the axles, the wheels of a radius greater than thedistance from the axle to the lower surface of the container providingsurface clearance, the wheels of a radius less than the distance fromthe axle to the lower surface of the cylinder, whereby in restingposition the extinguisher is supported by contact with a surface of thewheels and the lower end of the cylinder, the inward mounting of theaxles and the surface clearance permitting easy swinging of theextinguisher about its axles for movement on its wheels.

4. A portable fire extinguisher comprising a container for fireextinguishing agent, a cylinder for a pressurizing agent to expel thefire extinguishing agent, the container of larger diameter than thecylinder, at least one pair of clamping rings secured together, oneclamping ring about the container and the other clamping ring about thecylinder, each clamping ring formed of two sector straps with aperturedends, clamping bolts holding the apertured ends together, a pair ofspacers securing the clamping rings together, an axle supportingclamping ring about the container, a pair of axles extending from theaxle clamping ring and positioned between the vertical axis of thecontainer and the vertical axis of the cylinder, a handle extendingupwardly from the axles, an axle brace extending from the containerclamping ring and bracing the axle, and wheels positioned on the axles,the wheels of a radius greater than the distance from the axle to thelower surface of the container providing surface clearance, the wheelsof a radius less than the distance from the axle to the lower surface ofthe cylinder, whereby in resting position the extinguisher is supportedby contact with a surface of the wheels and the lower end of thecylinder, the inward mounting of the axles and the surface clearancepermitting easy swinging of the extinguisher about its axles formovement on its wheels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

